Compositions and methods for printing on specialty media

Abstract

Compositions and methods for printing on specialty media are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of providing a fixing fluid, providing a dye- or pigment-based ink-jet ink containing an effective amount of a polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) species, jetting the fixing fluid onto the specialty media forming a coated substrate, and jetting the ink-jet ink onto the coated substrate. Additionally, a gelled printed image on a substrate is disclosed comprising a fixing fluid containing a fixing agent and an aqueous ink-jet ink containing a polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) species. In both the method and with respect to the image, the polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) species used can be a known species, or one of a number of new graft copolymers containing a polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) polymer as one of the constituents of the copolymer.

1. A method for printing on specialty media comprising:
 a) providing a fixing fluid containing a fixing agent; 
 b) providing a dye- or pigment-based ink-jet ink containing a graft copolymer comprising polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) hydrolyzed at from 75% to 90% and a second polymer; 
 c) jetting the fixing fluid onto a specialty media substrate thereby forming a coated substrate; and 
 d) jetting the ink-jet ink onto the coated substrate. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as in  claim 1  further comprising the step of allowing the polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) of the ink-jet ink and the fixing agent of the fixing fluid to gel on the substrate. 
     
     
       3. A method as in  claim 1  wherein the fixing agent is selected from the group consisting of borax, boric acid, copper sulfate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       4. A method as in  claim 1  wherein the fixing fluid comprises components selected from the group consisting of humectants, wetting agents, surfactants, water and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       5. A method as in  claim 1  wherein the dye- or pigment-based ink-jet ink comprises a humectant that does not interfere with gelation. 
     
     
       6. A method as in  claim 5  wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, glycereth-1, glycereth-7, tetraethylene glycol, urea, tetramethylurea, betaine, betaine hydrochloride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       7. A method as in  claim 1  wherein the polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) is hydrolyzed at about 88%. 
     
     
       8. A system for printing on specialty media comprising:
 a) a fixing fluid containing a fixing agent; and 
 b) a dye- or pigment-based ink-jet ink comprising a graft copolymer comprising polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) hydrolyzed at from 75% to 90% and a second polymer. 
 
     
     
       9. A system as in  claim 8  wherein upon printing the ink-jet ink with the polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) and the fixing fluid with the fixing agent on a substrate, a gel is formed. 
     
     
       10. A system as in  claim 8  wherein the fixing agent is selected from the group consisting of borax, boric acid, copper sulfate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       11. A system as in  claim 8  wherein the fixing fluid comprises components selected from the group consisting of humectants, wetting agents, surfactants, water and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       12. A system as in  claim 8  wherein the dye- or pigment-based ink-jet ink comprises a humectant that does not interfere with gelation. 
     
     
       13. A system as in  claim 12  wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, glycereth-1, glycereth-7, tetraethylene glycol, urea, tetramethylurea, betaine, betaine hydrochloride, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       14. A system as in  claim 8  wherein the graft copolymer of polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) is hydrolyzed at about 88%.